2021 Frugal Living Challenge

willow_loulou

Just looking at my budget, things are tight this month. I’ve boxed up some more books I’ve traded and I’m watching prolific like a hawk! 

We have plenty of cupboard food so I’m not worried about that. It’s just the unknowns. 

@Frugaldom do you remember our conversation about using a credit card and paying it off each month. I think I’m ready to do that, any advice on pitfalls? I’m thinking if I do half my food shop on it pay day week then paying it before it even hits the account. 

Frugaldom

willow_loulou said:

Just looking at my budget, things are tight this month. I’ve boxed up some more books I’ve traded and I’m watching prolific like a hawk! 

We have plenty of cupboard food so I’m not worried about that. It’s just the unknowns. 

@Frugaldom do you remember our conversation about using a credit card and paying it off each month. I think I’m ready to do that, any advice on pitfalls? I’m thinking if I do half my food shop on it pay day week then paying it before it even hits the account. 

I pay whatever I can using a cashback credit card and have a direct debit for full balance to be taken each month. The cashback is minimal now, less than 1%, but it is better than nothing. My annual statement just arrived and shows £26 cashback, so that is like a free bag of pasta per week for a year or 3 bags of oats for the ponies.

mumtoomany

Hi all, still around but mega busy.
 Chickens are now back out of the polytunnel, so I've been spending a lot of time in there sorting it. They had managed to kick most of the soil onto the paths and have made a couple of holes in the plastic cover! Tape arrived yesterday so will go and patch those in a minute. Lots of childcare done. Lambs due any day, so walking around the fields six or seven times a day checking up on them. 
My cooker has broken, (again, been fixed three times) tried to fix it, but new parts didn't cure the problem. Have had to buy a new one. Problem is LPG cookers are thin on the ground so no second hand ones this time, broken one was second hand six years ago. Gone for all gas this time, last one was half and half, the electric ovens kept breaking.  So £1100! Should out live me though, I hope. 
Lost a branch of one of the big old trees in the wind. Spent two days cutting the branches up. Filled six builders tonne bags. The thickest part that was left had taken down a fence in one of the sheep fields. OH tried lifting it with the tractor, the tractors back wheels were lifting off the ground! Had to get a neighbour to help with his big machine. Should be a winters worth of fire wood, once all dried/seasoned. Big branch!
Lost where I'm up to money wise, but not spent anything I did not need to, and still have money in the bank.
 Hope everyone is well, hugs to those who want/need them, speak soon, mumtoomany.

[Deleted User]

The run of frugality continues here. I am back to work on Monday, and have made quite a decision this week about my future. It’s not fleshed out enough yet, but it’s a plan and I’m excited.

Other than the saw blades I’ve spent nothing. We’ve made quite a bit of money on the side this week from the sale of eggs and selling some outgrown toys online. Using that cash I am going to treat us to a fish supper tonight, which the children are thrilled with. 

It’s another lovely sunny day but I don’t want to make the same mistake as yesterday and be cold in the evening when the sun goes in. I’ve therefore just been foraging for twigs and branches, and have lit the fire. A roaring fire with a chippy supper and a glass of wine - what a treat. All either free (foraged wood and the wine was a gift), or covered by our small sales. Not much to grumble at! 

I have some rescue hens arriving next week, so am busy getting their new home sorted. Our other girls are laying really well and are a joy to watch running round the garden xx

StrawberrySuze

Hi All 🙂

I've not caught up yet but just wanted to put this link here. Nielsen are looking for more people to join their shopping panel. They will send you a scanner and what you have to do is scan all the shopping your household buys, you are then awarded points which can be exchanged for items. I have had a kettle so far but I'm saving the points up for something bigger. I find that it really makes me think about what I am buying and what's not to like about free things?!

https://www.nielsen-onlinereg.com/?cpid=150FC6D3&transaction_id=102bf90c806af55d0578ac649ab28b

Suzy 😊

jak

Hi everyone. Well today I have sent off my information to apply for my driving lessons grant and booked my theory test! Yesterday I ordered my motability car. It will arrive in a month! I’m very excited but need to keep the frugality going as I’ve lost the mobility money of my pip in order to get my driving lessons and car. To this end, I emailed Asda about the lack of quality of about £10 worth of food and will be getting a refund. I am also revising for my theory test on an app which only cost £1.99 rather than get the official book which was £15 and sold out until after my test anyway. 

Onwards and upwards! 

@Frugaldom I have joined your Facebook page and think your projects are Wonderful. Especially your horses. So sweet. I do enjoy the videos you post, as does my son. 

Xx

jak

Ooh I almost forgot! After Nagging about lights being left on etc. For Ages my son is finally making more of an effort And my electricity direct debit has just gone down from £40 pcm to £34! Woo! My gas has gone Up but only by £1 from £15 to £16. So basically I’m saving £5 a month altogether which I’m thrilled with x

Frugaldom

@jak Well done with the car & driving lessons, I wish you success with your theory test and thank you for following the other side of my life... The reasons why I need to live so frugally! All help welcome if you are ever in the area.

jak

Thanks @Frugaldom. I’d love to visit. Maybe one day lol x

AskYouWillGet

Hi everyone, it has only taken me 4 months to be out of my overdraft. Had a bonus payout from work which covered the last bit. Was around £1k overdraft at start of year (most of last year too) and my aim was to be under £100 as fast as possible. Very glad did it-now stick to it will remove my ability to use it in the first place! 
Bought £50 premium bonds with cashback/save the change acc. too.
Next will focus on clearing other debt. CC first, going to look for a balance transfer card with 0% on MSE.
Have filled up the car with petrol for the month and first time have transferred outgoings into saving account until due next month. This I inend will make my bank balance reflect more accurately, to prevent overspending. Thanks everyone who shared your tips at the beginning on the frugal challenge 2021.
Wishing you all happy frugal Friday.